The Gusii council of elders has yet against been accused of doing little to unite the community to vote as a block as a way of strengthening its bargaining power in matters governance.
Two legislators led the onslaught on Sunday alleging that the elders were only confined in their Kisii town offices despite the hefty allowances they get from political, leadership in the region.
The two leaders, Richard Tong’i (Nyaribari Chache) and Stephen Manoti (Bobasi), challenged the elders to put the ‘house’ in order before the 2017 polls so that the community votes as a block in presidential elections.
“I know we have a council of elders but it’s not doing enough to unite the community despite the support they get from the politicians. I have never heard them traversing the vast lands of Gusii (Kisii and Nyamira) to push for unity. We have to vote as a block so that we can increase our bargaining powers in subsequent governments,” Mr Tong’i said.
Manoti challenged the elders to exert their authority and convene meetings that will come with resolutions on the community’s political future.
“They (elders) are respected figures in our community and I believe they can push for common political unity. It’s sad that their activities are very minimal and we only hear of them when big functions are in the region. Time has come for this community to speak in one voice in polls,” he said.
However, chairman James Matundura conceded it was difficult to unite the community saying most leaders from the region were affiliated to different political parties.
“It’s true that we haven’t been able to realize the goal of uniting people to vote as a block. Most of our leaders come from different political parties and in most instances, they push the agenda of their sponsorship parties making it difficult for us to unite residents,” he said.